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Tips for Busy Business Owners
I sold my container gardening business and created The Potted Desert as an educational forum and community for desert dwellers who garden in containers. It was a hobby.
However, I thought it likely that some of my 3,900+ followers might own their own business. So I created a survey to discover their gardening needs and quietly invited them to join me in the business side of my life.
I was right. About 15% of the respondents requested to receive my lead magnet, ”10 Tips for Business I learned from my Garden.” 65% of the respondents checked they are retired, so the 15% was a good return.
Then I got a major wake up call, 60% of my garden followers said they want everything I created! And I was clear with them that there would be a cost to my offers.
Why am I not capitalizing on this market? That’s what the experts say about raving fans, right?
I have shifted my gears somewhat, increasing my attention to The Potted Desert and working smarter in my coaching practice.
I’m not advocating for you to run two businesses, ever. And especially not when you’re looking to work fewer hours or semiretired.
The lesson here is to talk to your clients and followers. Be sure that what you think they need is what they want. Look for other ideas of meeting their needs that capitalize on your experience and expertise. Learn from how you treat a lucrative hobby and apply it to your business
The potential silver lining may expand your income and service without working harder.
Talk, ask, survey and most of all, Listen.